Legal notice period

[intodarkness]

It might be but my thinking is this.

Original contract could be outside IR35 - brought in for a specific project.
Then the rolling one is inside IR35 - changes in working practices/engagement model inc D&C once.
If OP can prove that the original contract was outside IR35 but then he got dragged into it, he may be able to expedite himself from the situation. It would also demonstrate the same.

To be honest, this just about sums up the reality... They lost a big client that was feeding them constant projects and have been working to get the client back.. and didn't want to terminate me as it looked like it was sorted and then they would have to bring onboard someone knew that would need to go through the learning curve, but it has now dragged on for a few months.

[Fred Bloggs]

Sorry for side-tracking a bit, but have you also tried for permie work ?

Sure, about 50 applications so far this year, right across the world. One interview so far for a contract but silence followed.

[seanraaron]

I'm wondering about quitting a contract early myself.

I'm idle most of the time and it's not really in my core skillset - to be honest I was surprised to get the offer, but it was the only thing on the table so I accepted. Contract runs until May and certainly by March I'll get my CV updated and searchable, but I'm wondering if I should wait that long.

Obviously I'm green as hell and I was more interested in the income when I signed and under the impression there was actually work needing done beyond "seat-warmer," so I didn't think much about notice periods. Looking at my past contract-related emails I see things that look contradicting:

From agent: "The client will have a 28 day notice period for the duration of the contract. We require that you commit to the entire contract; however, we have an identical notice period with the client in case of emergencies."

From Umbrella:

Cathcart Associates Ltd
Notice Period: Immediate

GIANT PROFESSIONAL LIMITED (PRG)
Notice Period: May not give notice and is obliged to work the full term of the Assignment

So it's looking to me like the agent's client has a 28-day notice period, but the agency itself doesn't and my umbrella company requires me to work the full term of the contract, which overrides the terms outlined by the agent? Or the agent was lying?

Obviously I'm going to double-check this stuff direct with both parties, but just curious if this is standard jazz or what.

[LondonManc]

I'm wondering about quitting a contract early myself.

I'm idle most of the time and it's not really in my core skillset - to be honest I was surprised to get the offer, but it was the only thing on the table so I accepted. Contract runs until May and certainly by March I'll get my CV updated and searchable, but I'm wondering if I should wait that long.

Obviously I'm green as hell and I was more interested in the income when I signed and under the impression there was actually work needing done beyond "seat-warmer," so I didn't think much about notice periods. Looking at my past contract-related emails I see things that look contradicting:

From agent: "The client will have a 28 day notice period for the duration of the contract. We require that you commit to the entire contract; however, we have an identical notice period with the client in case of emergencies."

From Umbrella:

Cathcart Associates Ltd
Notice Period: Immediate

GIANT PROFESSIONAL LIMITED (PRG)
Notice Period: May not give notice and is obliged to work the full term of the Assignment

So it's looking to me like the agent's client has a 28-day notice period, but the agency itself doesn't and my umbrella company requires me to work the full term of the contract, which overrides the terms outlined by the agent? Or the agent was lying?

Obviously I'm going to double-check this stuff direct with both parties, but just curious if this is standard jazz or what.

Do you feel that you're inside IR35, or at least heading that way or is it simply the case that you're having to look busy for half the week and the project is still within your contracted deliverables? If you're finding work slow, welcome to contracting. Some times you get run off your feet, other days you have to try and look busy. Suck it up and keep invoicing I'd suggest.

[TheFaQQer]

So it's looking to me like the agent's client has a 28-day notice period, but the agency itself doesn't and my umbrella company requires me to work the full term of the contract, which overrides the terms outlined by the agent? Or the agent was lying?

For you giving notice, the important notice periods are you to the umbrella; umbrella to agency.

Anything else is immaterial.

[SlipTheJab]

Do you feel that you're inside IR35, or at least heading that way or is it simply the case that you're having to look busy for half the week and the project is still within your contracted deliverables? If you're finding work slow, welcome to contracting. Some times you get run off your feet, other days you have to try and look busy. Suck it up and keep invoicing I'd suggest.

Doesn't matter as he's using a brolly.

[northernladuk]

I sense that nluk would rather earn £300/day outside IR35 than £3000/day inside IR35

I sense an infraction coming my way.

[seanraaron]

Do you feel that you're inside IR35, or at least heading that way or is it simply the case that you're having to look busy for half the week and the project is still within your contracted deliverables? If you're finding work slow, welcome to contracting. Some times you get run off your feet, other days you have to try and look busy. Suck it up and keep invoicing I'd suggest.

Actually I'm not looking busy at all; doesn't seem to matter much as they client doesn't really seem to care. At some point I suppose I could get inundated, I just need to balance that against boredom. The job is totally inside IR35, but as SlipTheJab said I'm using an umbrella.

Amusingly I'm working with a guy who's been on-site for two years using an LLC. He's basically hoping HMRC never asks him out!

[LondonManc]

Actually I'm not looking busy at all; doesn't seem to matter much as they client doesn't really seem to care. At some point I suppose I could get inundated, I just need to balance that against boredom. The job is totally inside IR35, but as SlipTheJab said I'm using an umbrella.

Amusingly I'm working with a guy who's been on-site for two years using an LLC. He's basically hoping HMRC never asks him out!

Ah fair enough. Carry on invoicing then until you feel that the gig looks long enough on the cv.

[seanraaron]

Ah fair enough. Carry on invoicing then until you feel that the gig looks long enough on the cv.

It's sapping my will to live and my partner is amused/outraged I'm being paid £300/day to read books and post on this forum, but a bird in the hand and all that!

Nevertheless I'll make a discreet enquiry with my umbrella because I can't make head nor tail out of what I've had passed along.